Real Russia in Siberia or Meeting with International Students

“Speak English? Easy!” – this is exactly what TPU students studying on intensive courses of foreign language “Language for Mobility” organized by the Language Centre of IIE&LC and Centre of International Educational Programs can say by right.

Courses “Language for Mobility” (briefly LfM) – is not just learning the language, but it is the whole system aimed at providing the level of knowledge of a foreign language that would be sufficient to study abroad and adapt to the academic and social environment of the target country. Round tables with international students – participants of the academic mobility programmes, are one of the training elements.

Thus, last week the round table with students from Germany was held. The young people represented Technical University of Kemnitz (TU Chemnitz) and Baden-Wuerttemberg Cooperative State University Heidenheim (Duale Hochschule Baden-Württemberg Heidenheim).

The international students told in English about their universities, education in Europe, possibilities to travel at a low price and improve knowledge of the language and shared their impressions on their stay in Russia. The young people showed a movie which they made themselves about their 60-hour trip from Moscow to Tomsk by train. To the question “Why Tomsk?” students from Germany answered in unison: “We wanted to know real Russia”. Moreover, both German universities are partners of TPU, which facilitates active academic exchange between the universities.

“The meeting was very informative, since communicating in informal surrounding we received answers to many interesting for us questions: about culture in Germany, music, sports and Russian-German stereotypes. We even touched on the themes of politics and the Olympic Games in Sochi. For me as, a volunteer of the winter games, it was interesting to learn the opinion of foreigners and practice once again spoken English, which helped me a lot in Sochi thanks to the “Language for Mobility” courses,” comments Alena Dudnikova, student of TPU studying on the course and volunteer of the winter Olympic games in Sochi 2014.

According to I.Yu. Gerasimchuk, organizer of courses and Head of the Language centre of IIELC, the majority of students passed probations at the European universities (Germany, Check republic, Finland, Switzerland etc.). Statistics proves: intense language courses “Language for Mobility” – is a wonderful opportunity for students of Tomsk Polytechnic University not only to improve the level of knowledge of a foreign language, but also to take part in traditional meetings with foreign students.